Please help me pick between these paint choices!

16 years ago

Well, after trying every tan/cocoa/sage under the sun I am changing direction and going to the ivories to finish our family room & kitchen. We have a lot of color going on in the room between the camel sofa, olive and chocolate pillows and rug that pulls all of those colors together. So, I'm looking to "fade out" the walls so that the furnishings don't compete with them and the pretty greenery we have outside the window.

I have been learning all about color values and now realize that the walls need to be lighter or darker than the sofa to avoid a flat look. Darker is difficult in that room since we only get morning light and it is pretty shady throughout the day so lighter it is.

I have gorgeous silk drapes in a champagne/light gold that I'd love to have a slight contrast for a more of a refined, soft finish.

What do you think of the samples on the wall? they are:

Row 1 RL Oatmeal, DE Cream Wave

Row 2 DE Cochise, thin sliver of DE Exclusive Ivroy, BM Hush

Row 3 DE Exclusive Ivory, Behr Gobi Desert

Like any of these or should I go even lighter with Dunn Edwards Ball of String or Modern Ivory for more of a contrast with the drape?

One really strange phenomenon with the paint is that it tends to turn orange on the walls no matter what the true undertone is. So, I have been going grayer when looking at the paint chip since it turns warmer on the walls. Very weird.

Thanks for any guidance you can give me!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

greenmtn
16 years ago
Will the color also be going above the cabinets and also the backsplash? It looks like it from the swatches on the wall. I think it will be VERY important to pick something that you like with the cabinet color and counter.
oceanna
16 years ago
This may not be what you want to hear, but I like the green. I think it gives a nice contrast. Among the color splotches you painted on the wall, I think I'd go lighter than all of them if you want to go that direction. Of course, I don't know if my monitor is showing color accurately.
Related Discussions
Help me pick my choices and ID one I already have please
Q
Comments (4)
Andrea, it's nearly impossible to know what your garlic is as there are MANY, MANY varieties that it can be. I believe all listed are hardnecks except Nootka Rose. Here's an EXCELLENT site with pics of many varieties. Start with this link, it will help you understand the differences between types. Then when you're done with that page, click on the link named Garlic in the upper left to go to the varieties and pics. They are listed alphabetically, and with some slangs too. Hope this helps! Mark Here is a link that might be useful: Jeff Nekola's Heirloom Garlic page
...See More
Please help me pick between these paint choices!
Q
Comments (5)
I have looked a lot and keep gravitating to upper left. It seems to have just the right amount of 'oomph' without overbearing undertones. ;) Middle ones wash out on my monitor, seem to have a grayish undertone. (Looks on the cool side vs. warm colors of your furnishings.) The others render too peach, green or yellow in undertones on my monitor.
...See More
Please help me pick out paint colors
Q
Comments (4)
In the spirit of "speak now or forever hold your peace"--and assuming you aren't past the point of no return--I just want to say that I don't like how your backsplash choice plays with the granite. It could just be the pic or my monitor, but the colors don't quite work together. And the small format tile seems overly busy for the granite. I like the cabs with the counter, and I like the cabs with the backsplash, but not the backsplash with the counter. Sorry for the unsolicited opinion. And if you are past the point of no return...I'm sure it will be fine. On the subject of paint, I was thinking a lilac pink could maybe work...until I looked at BM Lilac Pink (are you looking at BM colors? You didn't say). Wow, that is really pink, and really quite a dark pink. And a saturated pink. I used BM's color viewer to pair it with a the Ivory Tower and gold along the lines of what is in your granite. I had Amulet stand in for the gold, and Clydesdale Brown for the cabinets. I didn't think that the Lilac Pink worked--it's a color that would work better in smaller quantities, like a lamp rather than a wall (vivid colors can be overwhelming on large surfaces). I did find some pinks that I thought would work: Rosewood, Pink panther, Rose Silk, Mauve Mist, Victoriana, Damask Rose, Hidden Sanctuary, and Hazy Lilac (more purple).
...See More
Please help me pick a paint for Family Room
Q
Comments (22)
I am with, caminnc creekylis kmcg85 auntjen rubybaby43 jen9 and I agree with rubybaby, there is not a nice contrast with the fireplace if you use the tan color. sooo... My very favorite is the first one. Is the one that picks one of the nice colors in your beautiful carpet, is rich enough for the style/color of furniture that you have, nice contrast with the fireplace and...is so beautiful with your hardwood flooring. By the way, is your base installed? or it is just narrow..? May I suggest a wider (5") base? Your room is going to be very beautiful with that carpet and flooring. good luck with your selection.
...See More
greenmtn
16 years ago
What about going with a green in the kitchen area to accent the cabinet color and pull the green from the den over into the kitchen. Then pick one of the neutrals for the den area.
manisha517
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks! Yes, it is going in the kitchen as well. But, the swatches are all so "safe" that I'm not too worried about it. The granite has flecks of beige, taupe, brown, and maroon so any neutral would be a safe bet.

I really wanted the green to work but it's the wrong shade, too minty and pastel. We have a lot of greenery outside so I prefer to keep the paint totally neutral to allow the backyard to "come in" through the window :)
johnatemp
16 years ago
What about the pretty slate blue in your rug??
The blue would really off set the greenery from your view.
Paint the kitchen chandelier pewtery and the kitchen table & chairs black.

You seem to be going for a transistional/eclectic look - I think the blue would be quite lovely in your room. I really like the pillows/fabrics that you have chosen.

Smiles:)
biner
16 years ago
i would pull one of the very light ivories from your pillows. you can take the fabric to a paint store and they can colour match it. i did this with some curtains and it worked beautifully!
squirrelheaven
16 years ago
From what I'm seeing, and it's hard to tell this way, I like something along the lines of the upper right swatch of your last two photos.

I like the slate blue idea too :)
fairytalebaby
16 years ago
Oooohhh, I love the green pictured on the kitchen wall...also love the idea of the slate blue from your rug. Ultimately though, they're all great colors...any of your choices would work...they all coordinate beautifully. Can you tell me where you found your couch and loveseat? I am loving the color with all the pillows! Good luck deciding...
prairiegirlz5
16 years ago
LOve your sofa/pillows/rug. Your rooms have nice "bones" and I can see you have great taste. I like the idea of a porcelain blue to pull the color from your pillows and rug. You could use a neutral color in the kitchen, or go bold with a teal blue like I'm seeing above the stove. I also like the idea of painting the dinette black and changing out the chandelier, but to something more modern or quirky, less "safe".
lynne_melb
16 years ago
My favorite is the Cochise. On my monitor, it looks like the Gobi Desert is too close to the color of the sofa, but any of the others would work also. Goold luck.
mahatmacat1
16 years ago
Just wanted to mention: that is the most brilliant use/juxtaposition of capiz shells and the money plant seedpods that I've ever seen. I love all your choices in your room, including the floating shelves.

I'm going to need to wait until some talented someone does some PS for you to weigh in on colors...
CaroleOH
16 years ago
What color is the background of the pillows with the thin brown stripe? I like that color - it looks taupey green in some of the photos and dark gold in others, so maybe it's not a fit. In the photo where your kitchen is in the background, I like the color in those pillows. What color is painted above the soffitt in the kitchen? It's a nice gold. Maybe you could do a gold in there, and then a taupe/green in the LR?

Please help me pick between these paint choices!

Comments (12)

greenmtn

oceanna

Related Discussions

greenmtn

manisha517
Original Author

johnatemp

biner

squirrelheaven

fairytalebaby

prairiegirlz5

lynne_melb

mahatmacat1

CaroleOH

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Please help me pick between these paint choices!

Comments (12)

Related Discussions

manisha517Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

manisha517
Original Author